For the first time since the Ecological Blue Flag (EBF) program was launched for the beaches category, a record number of 118 beaches have attained this award thanks to the organized efforts of the committees in each of the coastal communities to achieve sustainable beaches with tourism features on the Costa Rican Pacific and Caribbean coasts.
The announcement was made this morning by the Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT) in Dominical Beach, located in the southern Pacific region. The beaches that were announced corresponded to the results of the 2018 evaluation period, with scores ranging from one to five stars. A select group of five beaches achieved a high enough score to obtain the Ecological Blue Flag with five stars: Playa Matapalo and Punta el Madero in northern Guanacaste, Playa Carrillo in southern Guanacaste, Playa Blanca and Playitas in the central Pacific.
In the particular case of Playa Carillo, it received an additional “golden star” distinction because of the commitment of the EBF committee and the wider community to avoiding sources of pollution from streams and river mouths into the ocean. Playa Blanca also received an additional “pink star” for specific educational and preventative efforts related to the presence of wild species near the beach. These new distinctions were added by the EBF Evaluation Commission in August last year.
“ICT’s Ecological Blue Flag program is a tangible example of the country’s efforts to be a sustainable destination, strengthening the reputation that Costa Rica has gained in the international sphere as a country that preserves nature. This program also establishes Costa Rica as a destination that provides unique experiences in wonderful settings, and that looks after the conservation of its beaches, one of the most popular attractions for national and international tourists,” explained Virgilio Espinoza, Head of Certifications and Socially Responsible Tourism.
Ecological Blue Flag Bearers
Just one question emerges amidst the sea and the sand. How does a beach obtain an Ecological Blue Flag? The ICT serves as the entity in charge of the EBF’s beaches category and they take into account aspects such as sanitary conditions ensured by constant ocean water and potable water analysis (with the support of the AyA, Costa Rica’s public water and sewerage utility), as well as safety aspects such as riptide warning signage and lifeguards during weekends and high season. Other elements that add to the score are the presence of showers, washrooms, separation of recycling from waste, and environmental education, among other aspects.
Karina Díaz Vazquez, the Blue Flag Committee coordinator in Puerto Carrillo Beach, which received the five-star Ecological Blue Flag recognition, said she was very happy with the result obtained. “As a representative of the Red Cross, we decided to assist the community during this process that seeks the well-being, health and sustainability of the activities that take place on the beach. The Blue Flag is more than an award, it is a way to work conscientiously to ensure that our beaches remain safe, look their best, and that we as residents always think about reducing the impact of the people who visit us,” expressed the community representative with pride.
In addition, Nancy Mendoza, coordinator of Dominical Beach, expressed that she is grateful because the ICT selected her coastal community (recipient of two stars) to host the first Ecological Blue Flag awards ceremony. “Raising the flag is a symbolic act, an indicator that actions can be taken to protect the planet, regardless of whether a community is large or small,” noted the police officer, who is passionate about the care of nature and beaches.
For this occasion, the ICT decided to award the 118 blue flags in four special events near the beaches and the committees for greater ease. The first of the ceremonies took place today, March 19th, in Dominical Beach. The award ceremonies will continue this week on March 20th in Cóbano, Puntarenas and on March 21st in Liberia. The “blue tour” of awarding ecological flags will conclude in the Caribbean coast on March 27th in Puerto Limón.
During the year, as a part of the ICT’s work, three visits are held to evaluate the progress that each committee has made on the plan they had proposed. The objective of the visits is to inspect the work on the beaches, advise the group on technical and administrative tasks, and provide recommendations for improvement for the next visit.
The announcement was made this morning by the Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT) in Dominical Beach, located in the southern Pacific region. The beaches that were announced corresponded to the results of the 2018 evaluation period, with scores ranging from one to five stars. A select group of five beaches achieved a high enough score to obtain the Ecological Blue Flag with five stars: Playa Matapalo and Punta el Madero in northern Guanacaste, Playa Carrillo in southern Guanacaste, Playa Blanca and Playitas in the central Pacific.
In the particular case of Playa Carillo, it received an additional “golden star” distinction because of the commitment of the EBF committee and the wider community to avoiding sources of pollution from streams and river mouths into the ocean. Playa Blanca also received an additional “pink star” for specific educational and preventative efforts related to the presence of wild species near the beach. These new distinctions were added by the EBF Evaluation Commission in August last year.
“ICT’s Ecological Blue Flag program is a tangible example of the country’s efforts to be a sustainable destination, strengthening the reputation that Costa Rica has gained in the international sphere as a country that preserves nature. This program also establishes Costa Rica as a destination that provides unique experiences in wonderful settings, and that looks after the conservation of its beaches, one of the most popular attractions for national and international tourists,” explained Virgilio Espinoza, Head of Certifications and Socially Responsible Tourism.
Ecological Blue Flag Bearers
Just one question emerges amidst the sea and the sand. How does a beach obtain an Ecological Blue Flag? The ICT serves as the entity in charge of the EBF’s beaches category and they take into account aspects such as sanitary conditions ensured by constant ocean water and potable water analysis (with the support of the AyA, Costa Rica’s public water and sewerage utility), as well as safety aspects such as riptide warning signage and lifeguards during weekends and high season. Other elements that add to the score are the presence of showers, washrooms, separation of recycling from waste, and environmental education, among other aspects.
Karina Díaz Vazquez, the Blue Flag Committee coordinator in Puerto Carrillo Beach, which received the five-star Ecological Blue Flag recognition, said she was very happy with the result obtained. “As a representative of the Red Cross, we decided to assist the community during this process that seeks the well-being, health and sustainability of the activities that take place on the beach. The Blue Flag is more than an award, it is a way to work conscientiously to ensure that our beaches remain safe, look their best, and that we as residents always think about reducing the impact of the people who visit us,” expressed the community representative with pride.
In addition, Nancy Mendoza, coordinator of Dominical Beach, expressed that she is grateful because the ICT selected her coastal community (recipient of two stars) to host the first Ecological Blue Flag awards ceremony. “Raising the flag is a symbolic act, an indicator that actions can be taken to protect the planet, regardless of whether a community is large or small,” noted the police officer, who is passionate about the care of nature and beaches.
For this occasion, the ICT decided to award the 118 blue flags in four special events near the beaches and the committees for greater ease. The first of the ceremonies took place today, March 19th, in Dominical Beach. The award ceremonies will continue this week on March 20th in Cóbano, Puntarenas and on March 21st in Liberia. The “blue tour” of awarding ecological flags will conclude in the Caribbean coast on March 27th in Puerto Limón.
During the year, as a part of the ICT’s work, three visits are held to evaluate the progress that each committee has made on the plan they had proposed. The objective of the visits is to inspect the work on the beaches, advise the group on technical and administrative tasks, and provide recommendations for improvement for the next visit.
